Read Freely Alabama

Read Freely Alabama supports the library staff of the Autauga Prattville Public Library after the APPL board fired Director Andrew Foster for “sharing confidential information in violation of criminal law” after fulfilling a public records request for a local reporter. We also stand with the four library staff members who were fired after they shut down the library until Mr. Foster was reinstated. 

The Public Comment Period concerning the APLS Administrative Code Changes Begins Today, February 1, 2024. 

Read Freely Alabama opposes Senate Bill 10, which would destabilize library boards and operations for political gain. It would politicize libraries by taking away due process in appointing neutral library boards and strip library board appointments of autonomy, undermining the very foundation of libraries to serve their communities. It also destabilizes library services by interrupting continuity in board appointments and swapping out institutional knowledge for partisan purposes.

We hope that Alabama lawmakers will stand by their oath to uphold the Constitutional rights of their constituents and reject a short-sighted bill that expands government interference in
a nonpartisan public forum.

Read Freely Alabama
Senior Leadership Team 

This is Read Freely Alabama’s statement on the recent developments surrounding the Autauga County Commission’s appointment of Clean Up Alabama supporters to the library board. Be sure to check out the WSFA-12 story about these appointments. 

Here at Read Freely Alabama, we think it's important for you to see what we are up against.